Administration tells agencies to prepare for deeper cuts, layoffs

The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management released a joint memo Wednesday detailing how federal agencies should develop agency reorganization plans to reduce their work force.

The memo also said President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency directed agencies to draft the plans by March 13 and to submit them to both the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Then, agencies must submit a phase two overhaul by April 14.

The National Nuclear Security Administration and Department of Energy, agencies that could be subject to these cuts as government agencies, did not immediately respond to an inquiry by the Exchange Monitor on whether either have a national security exemption.

For its part, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it is evaluating OMB’s reduction-in-force and restructuring guidance.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in San Francisco Thursday also dealt the White House a legal setback saying OPM lacks authority to fire probationary employees.